The Role of Women in the Church

Session 1 Preparation Questions - Introduction - Women's Role in the Church

Consider the following questions as we begin this study.

Why is the topic of the role of women in the church of such great interest today? Why has so much controversy arisen regarding this topic?
Was the topic of the role of women controversial in the restoration movement prior to the past few years?
Are there activities in which women frequently engage in the church today which were unusual fifty years ago? If so, what are those activities?
What are your beliefs regarding the role of women in the church?
How did you arrive at your beliefs?
Do you believe that you will change your beliefs related to the role of women in the church after a study of the scriptures? Do you feel you have studied this topic enough that your beliefs are not subject to change?
Where do you place most persons at Brooks Avenue regarding their beliefs on the role of women in the church? Firmly convinced that the role of women currently is the appropriate stance? Firmly convinced that women should have a much more visible role at Brooks Avenue? Undecided but very interested in the issue? Undecided and uninterested?
Do you believe that a study of scriptures can change the beliefs of the congregation toward the role of women? Do you believe the congregation has studied this topic enough that its beliefs are not subject to change?
What do you believe are the critical scriptures regarding the role of women in the church?
Do you believe the scriptures are easily interpreted regarding the role of women in the church? If so, why? If not, why not?
Is there one passage of scripture upon which you base your beliefs of women in the church? If so, what is that scripture?
Is there one passage of scripture which is troubling to you regarding the role of women in the church? If so, what is that scripture?
Do you believe that a class on the role of women in the church will lead to changes in the actual roles and activities of women at Brooks Avenue?
Do you believe that a class on the role of women at Brooks Avenue could be damaging to the congregation? For example, should the issue of the role of women be addressed in another format?
Do you currently find contradictions in our congregation regarding the role of women in the church?